SpiritualGrowthTools

GrowingToward SpiritualMaturity

Developing Christian Character

Pastor Stan Lubeck

Stanlubeck.com

Spiritual Pathway

Spiritual Growth Map I - PDF* DOC DOCX

LifeGroup Covenant: Lifegroup Covenant - PDF

Basics of the Faith Authentic Faith (four weeks) PDF DOC DOCX Spiritual Discipline - Values

Climbing Essentials - 2 Weeks - PDF* Spiritual Maturity - FAT - 5 Weeks - PDF Little Communities in the Kingdom of God - 5 Weeks - PDF Jesus, Teach Us to Pray - 5 Weeks - PDF God’s Design for His Church – Spiritual Gifts - 2 Weeks - PDF

Spiritual Gifts Survey - PDF Seeking God’s Heart for Prayer - 4 Weeks - PDF

Building God’s Church God’s Way God’s Heart for His Church 1 - 3 Weeks - PDF God’s Heart for His Church 2 - 4 Weeks - PDF 10 RLC Leadership Values - Doc (ten weeks) Doing Battle in the Heavenlies - 4 Weeks - PDF Lighthouse of Prayer Guide - Prayer Evangelism - 1 Week - PDF Lighthouse of Prayer - Quick Guide - PDF Freedom in Christ Bookmark PDF Starting New Ministries PDF Key questions for launching a new ministry.

Guest Assimilation Pathway: First Step (Free lunch, Q&A with the Lead Pastor) Rooted Study – 10 weeks on Real Life faith essentials. LIFEgroup (small groups scattered) Serving in a ministry.

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"Growing Toward Spiritual Maturity"

EstablishingChristianDisciplines

Preface:ThisSpiritualGrowthTrackwasdevelopedinadevo:onalformatforuseinSmallGroups.

Wedesirethateverymemberwillbeequippedtoac:velycontributetotheongoingministryofthechurch. Itisan"everymemberaminister"ministry.

This study is oneof several that is designed to help believers grow tospiritualmaturity in the contextof small groups. Webelieve that thesmall group is the best environment for life transforma:on,transparency, and personal accountability. Believing that discipleshipinvolvesbotharela:onshipanddirec:on,ourprayeristhatthesetoolswill assist many in obeying Jesus' command to make disciples of allna:ons.

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TableofContents

Faithfulness 5

Availability 11

Teachability 19

Worship 26

Witness 34

Limi:ngOurFreedoms

44

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FAITHFULNESS

BackgroundforOurStudy2 Timothy 2:2 is a key verse in which Paul

directsTimothyastohowtopassonthetruthsof the faith to succeeding genera:ons. He says,"And the things youhave heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust toreliablemenwhowill also be qualified to teach others." There arethreeideasinthisversewewanttofocusuponaswebeginourstudy.They are the important characteris:cs of faithfulness, availability andteachability.

The word "reliable" can be translated trustworthy or faithful. Thephrase"youhaveheardmesayinthepresence..."speaksofavailabilityandteachability. ThesethreewordswillbethebasisofourfirstthreestudiesinthisseriesonGrowingTowardMaturity.

What thoughts come to mind when you hear a person described as

faithful?

AfaithfulChris:anisadedicatedbelieverwho:❖ loves the Lordwith all his/her heart, all soul, allmind and all

strength,❖ priori:esareinorderwithGod'spurposes,❖ willingness to follow spiritual leaders in theministry in which

Godisleadingthem.

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DAY1Week

1

I. WhyWeAretobeFaithfulHowwouldyoudefine"faithfulness?

Intheversesbelow,whatreasonsarewegiventobefaithful?

Deuteronomy7:9

Joshua24:14

Isthereaconnec:onbetweenhealthyfearandfaithfulness?Explain:

1Samuel12:24

1Corinthians4:2

Howimportantis"faithfulness"inmanagement?Why?

What"trueriches"hasGodgivenyoutomanage?

Gala:ans5:22

What is the connec:on between a person's "faithfulness" and

"frui]ulness"asaChris:an?

1Samuel26:23a

Deuteronomy11:13-15

Psalm37:28

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Ma`hew24:42-47

Whatisthebenefitforthefaithful,wiseservant?

Areyouready?

Rev.2:10

WhydidJesusneedtoencouragethechurchinSmyrnatobefaithful?

WhatwouldJesussaytoChris:ansinourcultureabouttheobstaclesin

thewayoffaithfulness?

Para-phraseProverbs20:6inyourownwords:

Isitgecngmoredifficulttofindafaithfulmantoday?Explain:

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DAY2

II. Hezekiah:anExampleofFaithfulnessIn2Chronicles29-31wefindthatHezekiahbecamekingofJudahatage25. Hewasdescribedasamanwhodidwhatwasright intheeyesofGod.Intheearlypartofhisreignhe:❖openedthedoorsofthetempleandhadthemrepaired.❖hadthepriestsandLevitesconsecratethemselvesandpurifythetemple.

❖hadasinofferingmadeforthena:on,thesanctuaryandthepeople.

❖restoredtheworshipoftheLordinJudah.❖gotpeopletobring:thes,offeringsandsacrificestotheLordatthetemple.

❖re-ins:tuted thePassoverwhichhadnotbeencelebrated foryears.

2 Chronicles 31:20 describes Hezekiah asfollows… "This is what Hezekiah did throughoutJudah, doing what was good and right andfaithfulbeforetheLORDhisGod."In 2 Chronicles 32 we will see how God showedHimselffaithfultoHezekiahintheeventsthatweretofollow.In 2 Chronicles 32:1, whatwas the next situa:on to face Hezekiah as

king?

Inverses2-8,whatdidHezekiahdotomeetthiscrisis?

Vs.8.InwhatwasHezekiahplacinghisconfidencefordeliverance?

In verses 9-19, what did King Sennacherib do in an a`empt to

discourageHezekiahandthepeopleofJerusalem?

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Inverse20,whatwasHezekiah'sresponsetoSennacherib'sploy?

ReadIsaiah37:36,37and2Chronicles32:21-23.

WhatdidGoddo?

AreyoucurrentlyfacinganySennacheribsinyourlife?

Whereareyouplacingyourtrustfordeliverance?

Isyoutrustmisplacedinanyway?

Specify:

Hezekiah remained faithful to the Lord under intense pressure and

overwhelming circumstances. Do you see a connec:on between

Hezekiah'sfaithfulnessandhisprayerfulness?Explain:

How has God spoken to you about this area of faithfulness under

pressure?

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Howbaddoyourcircumstancesneedtobeforyoutogiveupon

prayer?

HowdidthepeoplebenefitfromHezekiah'sfaithfultrustintheLord?

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AVAILABILITY

IntroducUonWhatcomestomindwhenyouthinkaboutsomeone

w h o isavailable?

When we use this term, we are speaking about a person who givesGod'sministryahighenoughprioritythatlesserac:vi:esaresetasidetocarryoutministry. Itistheideaofpucngfirstthingsfirst. Whenapersonismo:vatedtoserveGod,thatpersonwillbewhereheneedstobewhenheneedstobethere.

I. WhyWeAretobeAvailable?Ithasbeensaidthatthemostimportantabilityis"availability".

Read Luke 12:35-40. Why should we, His followers, be watchful or

availableaccordingtothispassage?

WhatkindsofthingshasChristentrustedtoyouasHisservant?

IfyouknewHewascomingback in twoweeks,whatwouldyoudoto

getthingsreadyforHisinspec:on?

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DAY3

HowdoesPsalm123:2exemplifytheavailabilitywearetohavetothe

Lord?

HowdoesLuke12:47-48:einwithwhatwehavebeensaying?

Slavesorservantsusedtostandat theendof thetableoracorneroftheroom,withtheireyesfixedonthehandoftheirmaster,wai:ngforasignforthenexttaskforthemtoobey.Theydidnotwanttomissanyofthesignalshewouldmake. Inmuchthesameway,Godwantsus,Hisservants,tobeavailabletoHimsowewillnotmissthesignalsHegivesusofHiswill forour lives. Whataresomewayswemight looktothehandofourMaster,Jesus,todiscernHiswillforourlives?

Read1Peter4:10-11-WhatgijhaveyoureceivedfromtheLordforthe

benefitofHispeople?

AreyoufaithfullyusingyourgijtobringpraisetotheLord?How?

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A. Joshua with Moses

InExodus24,theLordcalledMosesto comeuponMt. Sinai to confirmHis covenant with the people. The rest of the

peopleweretostayatthebaseofthemountain.Readverses13-18andanswerthefollowingques:ons:

InExodus24:13,whatwasJoshua'srela:onshiptoMoses?

In verse 14 what was Moses' word to the people as he and Joshua

startedupthemountain?

Whathappenedinverses15and16whenMosesandJoshuagotupon

themountain?

Whatwastheperspec:veforthepeopledownbelowaccordingtoverse

17?

Whathappenedinverse18?

HowlongwasMosesgone?

WherewasJoshuaallthis:me?

Whatdoyouthinkhedidthere?

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DAY4

Whatwouldhavebeenonyourmindattheendofthefirstweek?

30days?

ReadExodus33:11.WhatdowelearnaboutJoshuahere?

Howareyouatwai:ngonGod?

Ifyoufinditdifficult,whatisthereason?

Read the following verses and describewhat became of Joshua's life:

Deuteronomy1:37,38

Joshua1:5

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B. Elisha with Elijah

Read1Kings19:21.WhatwasElisha'srela:onshiptoElijah?

Read2Kings2:1-14andanswerthefollowingques:onsaboutElisha:

WhatwasabouttohappentoElijah?

Inverses2,4and6,whatdidElijahtellElishatodo?

Whydoyouthinkhetoldhimtodothat?

HowdidElisharespond?

Whydoyouthinkherespondedthatway?

Whatdotheirresponsessayabouttheirrela:onship?

WhatisElisha'srequestofElijahinverse9?

Whatdoyouthinkhemeantbythis?

Inverse10,Elijahstatesthecondi:onforElisha'srequesttobegranted.

Whatisit?

DidElishagetwhatheaskedfor?

Whydoyousaythat?

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C. The Disciples and JesusRead John 1:43 and Ma`hew 4:18-22. These

verses describe the beginning of Jesus' ministry.

What isthecommonfactor inJesus'contactswith

thesemen?

Mark3:14says,"He (Jesus)appointedthetwelve—designaUngthem

apostles—thattheymightbe___________Him..."

At the end of His ministry in John 11:54, what did Jesus do with His

disciples?

According to John 15:27, what were the apostles creden:als for

tes:fyingaboutJesus?

What promise did Jesus give the disciples at theGreat Commission in

Ma`hew28:20?

Whatconclusiondid theSanhedrindrawaboutPeterand John inActs

4:13?

Allofthesepassagesgiveusakeytobeingavailable.Itis

Howdoyouthinkwearetodothat?

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DAY5

D. Jesus' Teaching on Availability

ReadJohn15:4-11andanswerthefollowingques:ons:WhatisJesus'keyideaintheseverses?

Howwouldonegoaboutdoingthis?

Jesusrepeatsthewordsremaininme,loveandbearingfruit.Howdoes

Heputtheseideastogether?

What promises does Jesus make to the person who remains in (is

availableto)Him?(giveatleast4)

AsabranchonChrist'svine,howwouldyoudescribe the fruit inyour

life?Why?

WhatdoyouneedtodotobemoreavailabletoHim?

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TEACHABILITY

IntroducUonIn2Timothy2:2Paulsays,"Andthethingsyouhaveheardmesay inthepresenceofmanywitnesses,entrust..."Paulisexpec:ngTimothyto teach reliable men the things Paul has taught him. In order forTimothytoaccomplishthis,hewillhavehadtohaveheard,understoodandlearneditforhimself. Wecannotgivetoothersthatwhichwedonotpossess. Toeffec:velylearnsomething,wemusthaveateachablespirit.

Apersonwhoisteachableisonewho:❖ iseagertolearn,❖ iswillingtochange,❖ has the capacity for intellectual and spiritual growth and

development,❖ seeksaclearsignalfromGodastowhatHewantshimtodo.

KnowingoneisinvolvedinthewillofGodcanbeagreatmo:vator. Agoodleadercon:nuestolearnandiseagertoimproveministryskills.

I. LearningtobeTeachable:What reasons are given in the following verses for one who isteachable?

Proverbs10:14

Proverbs12:15

Proverbs13:18

Proverbs15:14

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DAY1Week

2

Proverbs22:17,18

John8:31,32

John13:15-17

Whatistheconnec:onbetweenblessingandobedience?

John14:15

Whatistheconnec:onbetweenloveandobedience?

2Timothy2:15

Whatcharacterizesapersonwhoisteachable?

Whatevidenceisthereinyourlifethatrevealsyouteachablespirit?

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II.ExamplesfromScriptureA. Moses

ReadExodus18:13-24

Moseshadbeenservingasjudgefornearly2millionpeople as they traveled in the wilderness. When his father-in-law,Jethro, came to visit, he watched Moses conduct his daily ac:vi:es,cri:quedwhathesawandcameupwithasugges:onforimprovement.In verse 14 Jethro spots a problemwith the wayMoses was running

things.Whatdoeshesee?

HowdoesMosesanswerJethroinverses15and16?

Inverses17and18,whatisJethro'sresponseandreasoning?

Jethrooffersasolu:oninverses19-23.Summarizeitbelow:

HowdoesMosesrespondtohisfather-in-law'ssugges:on?

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DAY2

WhatdoesthistellusaboutMoses?

B. David

Read 1 Samuel 25:23-32. WhenDavidwas on therunfromSaul,hesentsomeofhismentoawealthy

man named Nabal, who was shearing his large flock.TheyweretoremindhimthattheyhadprotectedhisflocksandwouldhebesokindastogivethemsomethingtomeettheneedsofDavidandhismen.

Nabal is described as being mean and surly. He made disparagingremarksaboutDavid,refusedhisrequestandsentDavid'smenontheirway.WhenDavid'smentoldhimwhathadhappened,Davidtold400ofhismentoarmthemselvesandtheywouldtakecareofNabal. OneofNabal'sservantsgottoNabal'swife,Abigail,andtoldherhowNabalhadtreatedDavid'smen. Shegatheredupprovisions forDavidandallhismenandsentthemonahead.

She met David and his army as they were on their way to kill herhusband.

Inverses23and24,whatdoesAbigaildotogainDavid'sfavor?

Whatappealsdoesshemakeinverses25-28?

Whatotherapproachdoesshemakeinverses29-31?

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DAY3

HowdoesDavidrespondinverses32-35?

WhoisyourAbigail—theonewhohaskeptyoufromsinbyappealingto

yourconscience?

Have you expressed your gra:tude to the person who was able to

instructyouintheproperway?

C. Paul

Read Acts 16:6-10 and answer the followingques:ons:

What arePaul andhis companions a`emp:ng to

doinverses6-8?

WhathasbeenGod'sresponsetothem?

HowdoyouthinkGodmighthavedonethis?

WhatisGod'sresponsetoPaulinverse9?

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DAY4

HowdoesPaulrespondtoGod'sleadinginverse10?

Paulwasresponsivetothe leadingofGod. Hewastaking ini:a:vetoministerfortheLordandtoreachpeopleforChrist.Paulwasteachable,because hewas sensi:ve to the Lord's change of direc:on. Once heknowwhatGodwantedhimtodo,hedidnothesitatetoact.WhatisGodleadingyoutodo?

III.QuestionsforApplicationHowdoyou respondwhenyou receivecorrec:onor

cri:cism?

Isyourreac:ondependentuponwhothemessengeris?

From whom do you find it most difficult to receive cri:cism or

correc:on?

Whydoyouthinkthisisso?

Whatdoesthissayabouttheteachabilityofyourspirit?

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DAY5

WORSHIP

IntroducUon

Websterdefinesworshipasreverenceordevo:onforadeity;extremedevo:on or intense love or admira:on of any kind. It is the idea ofascribingworthor value to aperson. Pastor JackHayfordputs it this

way,"WorshipisanopportunityformantoinviteGod's power andpresence tomoveamong those worshipping Him. . . Thereward of worship is God's enthronedpresence...The goal of trueworship. . .(is)thereshapingofourlives."(FromWorship

HisMajesty,pages53and137.)

We do not worship God because He is a cruel megalomaniac whosefragileegoneedsconstantstroking,butbecauseHeisaloneisworthyofpraiseforwhoHeisandforallthatHehasdone.

NotonlythatbutweourselvesgainfromourworshipofGod. NotonlyisGodtobethefocusofourworshipbut,accordingtoHayford,"Hehadalwaysplanned that inworshipwewouldfind joy,blessing, fulfillmentandpurpose…TheScripturesconsistentlyshowGodcallingHiscreaturestoworship inHis presence thatHemight release, redeem, renewandrestorethem."(WorshipHisMajesty,pages46and48.)

I. WhatScriptureSaysAboutWorshipAccordingtoExodus20:3-6,howdoesGodfeelaboutourworshipping

anyoneoranythingbesidesHim?

WhatreasondoesHegiveforthis?

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"TherewardofworshipisGod'senthroned

presence..."

Week

3DAY1

What does He say are the results of worshipping anyone or anything

else?

WhatotherresultsdoesHegiveinDeuteronomy11:16,17?

InDeuteronomy12:3,4,wearetoldnottoworshipGodintheworld's

way.Whatreasonisgiveninverse31ofDeuteronomy12?

AccordingtoMa`hew4:9,10WhatdoesSatandesire?Why?

InDeuteronomy4:29,whatpromisedoesGodgiveconcerningworship?

Exodus23:25listsotherblessingsthatcomeasaresultofourworshipof

God.Whatarethey?

Howdoesthecrea:onworshipGodaccordingto1Chronicles16:31-33?

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A. Reasons For Our Worship:

2Kings17:39

Nehemiah9:6

Psalm28:7

Psalm99:5

Psalm100:3,5

Hebrews12:28,29

Revela:on4:11

Revela:on14:7

Revela:on15:4

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DAY2

DAY3

II. OurAttitudeWhenWe WorshipWhatshouldcharacterizeouractudetowardGodasweworshipHim,accordingtothefollowingpassages?

Psalm5:7

Psalm9:2

Psalm32:11

Psalm37:7

Psalm143:6

Whatexplainsyouractudeforworshiprightnow?

Whichactudetoyouexemplifyregularly?

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III. MethodsofWorshipAs you read the following passages, they relate anumber of different ways of worshipping God orformsthatourworshipmaytake.Listtheonesyoufindineachpassage:

1Chronicles16:28-30

GiveonereasonyouascribeglorytoGodtoday:

Nehemiah9:5

Whatisthesignificanceofstandingupduringpraise?

Psalm3:3

Psalm9:1

WhatisdifferentaboutyourworshipofGodwhenyouaredoingitwith

allyourheart?Whenyouarejustgoingthroughthemo:ons?

Psalm28:7

WhatsongrepresentsyourthanksuntotheLord?

Psalm47:1

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DAY4

When was the last :me you shouted about something, and it didn't

involveyouchildren?

Psalm48:9

Howcanyoumakemedita:onaregularpartofyourworshipexperience

onSundaymornings?

Psalm66:1-3

Psalm95:6

Howdoesaperson'spostureaffecttheabilitytoworship? Whydoyou

thinkweareinstructedtobowandkneel?

Psalm100:2,4

Does joyandgladnessaccompanyyourworship? Doyou lean toward

solemnworship,ortowardexpressionsofjoy? Whatdoyouthinkthis

saysaboutyourwalkwiththeLord?

Psalm134:2

Why is it hard for many people to raise their hands during public

worship?

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Whatdoesraisingofhandssignify?Whydoyouthinkweareinstructed

toraiseourhands?

Psalm149:3

What role does dancing play in your worship

experience?

John4:23,24

WhatkindofworshipersdoesGodseek?

Ephesians5:19

Hebrews12:28

Fromyourstudyinthislesson,whatnewinsightsdidyoudiscoverabout

worship?

Didanyoftheseinsightsruffleyourcomfortzone?

Whichonesandwhy?

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DAY5

WhathasbeenyourgreateststruggleinofferingworshiptoGod?Why?

As a result of your :me in theWord, what changes are you going to

bringtoyourworshipofGod?

Whatspecificthingsdoyouneedtoworkon?

Whatcanyoudotoimproveyouractudetowardworship?

Oneofthechorusesweojensingspeaksofthebenefitsofworshiptous:

❖ Timesofrefreshing,hereinYourpresence;❖ NogreaterblessingthanbeingwithYou.❖ Mysoulisrestored,mymindisrenewed;❖ There'snogreaterjoy,Lord,thanbeingwithYou.

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WITNESS

IntroducUonIn 1 Peter 3:15, the Apostle Peter exhorts us to "in your hearts setapart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer toeveryonewhoasksyoutogivethereasonforthehopethatyouhave.Butdothiswithgentlenessandrespect." Peteriscallingustoliveourlives in suchaway thatpeoplewill see thehopewehave in the LordJesus Christ, noma`erwhat our circumstances. Ifwedo, theymany:meswillwanttoknowhowwecanbesohopeful inthemidstofourcurrent circumstances. Thenweare tobeprepared to give them thereason for ourhope— the Lord JesusChrist is ourdefender, deliverer,p ro v i d e r, p e a c e , s ou r c e o f c omfo r t a ndencouragement.

Whenwe came to faith in Christ,we became one ofGod's instruments to reach the world for Himself.Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 and respond to thefollowingques:ons:

Whatistheresultofour"inChrist"rela:onship—verses17,18?

WhatisGodseekingtodothroughChrist—verses19and21?

Whatposi:onhasGodgivenus—verse20?

WhatisGodseekingtodothroughus—verse20?

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DAY1Week

4

WhathasGodsuppliedinordertohelpus—verse19?

I. WhyAreWetoWitness?Isaiah 61:1-3 is part of a prophecy about Jesus

made over 600 years before He came to earth.

WhathadGodcalledHimtodo?

Whichofthosethingscanberelatedtowitnessingtoothers?

Howdoes1John2:6relatetothis?

HowisthisconfirmedbyJesus'commandtoHisdisciplesinJohn15:26,

27?

Ma`hew 28:18-20 is Christ's Great commission to His disciples and

thosewhowould follow them. It is a command toproducedisciples.

Howarewetodothis?

Acts 1:8 records Jesus' very lastwords to His disciples just before His

beingtakenupintoheaven. WhatdidHesaytheywouldreceivewhen

theHolySpiritcameuponthem?

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DAY2

Whatwasthistobeusedfor?

Would Jesus giveus thepower todo something andnot expect us to

follow through on it? ___________ What, then, would you say He

expectsofus?

ReadActs10:39-42. ThiswasPeter'ssermontotheGen:lehousehold

of Cornelius. According to this statement, were the disciples being

obedienttoJesus'command?

Whatdoeshesaytheywerecalledtobe?

Howweretheytofulfilltheirrole?

In 2 Timothy 1:8 Paul passes the Great Commission to the next

genera:on.Whatdoesheimplythatwillkeepusfromfulfillingit?

II. TheBeneKitsofWitnessingHow does Paul describe those without Christ in

Titus3:3?

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DAY3

InEphesians2:1-3?

According to Philippians 3:4-6, into what do some people place their

confidenceforrightstandingwithGod?

AccordingtoJohn5:39,inwhatweretheJewsplacingtheirconfidence?

HowtoWitness:

Isn't it amazinghowwe take the simple thingsofGodandcomplicatethem?YoudonothavetohaveaBiblecollegeorseminaryeduca:ontobeawitnessforChrist. OjenourbestwitnessingisdonethefirstfewweeksormonthsajerwecometoChrist. ThelongerweareinChrist,thegreaterthetendencytocomplicatethemessage.Workthroughthepassagesbelowandseeifyoudon'tagree.

Read1Corinthians2:1-4.HowdoesPauldescribehiswitnessingability?

Whatwerehisweaknesses?

Whatwerehisstrengths?

Whatwashismessage?

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Whatsubstan:atedhismessage?

Isthatavailabletoustoday?

(RememberActs1:8!)

Read the passages below and list the key idea of

eachmessage:

John9:24,25

John3:16

Romans5:8

1John4:9,10

Whatmo:veisgivenforGod'sac:onsintheabovepassages?

1John4:14?

1John5:11-13

ThekeyelementofourmessageisstatedinActs4:20.Whatisit?

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DAY4

HowdoesJohnputthisin1John1:2,3?

ReadActs22:3-16and26:12-19toseehowPaulputhistesCmony

together.

III.God'sPromisestoWitnessesReadthepassagesbelowandnotethepromisesGodhasgiventothosewhowitnessforHim:

Ma`hew28:18-20

Acts1:8

John15:26

Read1Corinthians2:4andActs4:33. WasGodtruetoHispromisesto

Hisdisciples? Whatdoesthatmeanforus?

IV. TheResultsofBeingWitnessesEverything we do in life has results or consequences— some posi:veand some nega:ve. The best result of all is that those towhomwewitness, may come to faith in Christ, be forgiven of their sins, bereconciledtoGod,beadoptedintoGod'sforeverfamilyandlivewithusandHim forall eternity. Read thepassagesbelowand list the resultsthatmaycomeourwaybybeingwitnessesforChrist:

Philemon6

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DAY5

Acts4:18,21

Acts26:16

(ThiswasinexilenotonvacaCon.)

Revela:on6:9

Revela:on20:4

Theabove twoversesmaynot seemtooappealingbut remember thepromise of the last sentence in Revela:on 20:4 and the promises inMa`hew28:20andHebrews13:5.

Write aprayerexpressing yourheart’s desire tobeawitnessofGod’sgoodnesstoyou:

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LIMITING OUR FREEDOMS

IntroducUonWhen we enter our rela:onship with Jesus Christ, weexperiencetruefreedomforthefirst:meinourlives. Intheverseslistedbelow,whathavewebeenfreedfrom?

Romans6:18

Romans8:2

Revela:on1:5b

InChrist,wehavebeensetfreefromtheprincipleofsin,thecontrollingpowerofsinandtheindividualsins inour lives. Thiswasnotdonesowecouldrunloosewithnoboundariestoprotectus. Onthecontrary,God has given us some principles whichwill help us tomaximize thefreedomHehasprovidedforus.

WhatdoesGala:ans5:1tellusweneedtoguardagainst?

WhatistheyokeofslaveryPauliswarningusabout?

WhatelsedoesPaulwarnagainstinGala:ans5:13a?

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Week

5DAY1

WhatdoesheencourageinsteadinGala:ans5:13b?

WhatguidelinedoesPaulgiveusinGala:ans5:14?

This isoneof the core valuesofour church. In the series the "ThreeLovesoftheChurch,"wesaidthatGodhascalledusasachurchtoheedthegreatcommandmentasJesusgaveitin:

Mark12:30 "Love the LordyourGodwithall yourheart andwithallyoursoulandwithallyourmindandwithallyourstrength." 31 Thesecond is this: "Love your neighbor as yourself." There is nocommandmentgreaterthanthese."

To loveGodwith all ourheartwith all our soulwith all ourmindandwithallourstrengthmeansthatwearepassionatelypursuingGodwithallofourbeing.Thisisthefirstloveofthechurch.

The second and third loves of the church are summed up in thecommandto"loveyourneighborasyourself." ThesecondloveofthechurchistoloveourbrothersandsistersinChrist,notjustthoseinourchurchbutthoseinanylifegivingchurch,justasJesushaslovedus.WeareallpartoftheoneBodyofChristand,therefore,partofoneanother.

WhatcommanddoesGodgiveusin1John4:7?

Whyarewetoldtodothis?

Whatdoes1John4:11sayabouttheimportanceoflovingourbrothers

andsistersinChrist?

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Accordingtothatverse,whatshouldbeourmo:va:on?

Inreading1John4:20,21doyouthinkGodtakesthisideaoflovingour

brothersandsistersinChristseriously?_______ Why?

What isothermo:va:onsaregivento loveoneanother inJohn13:34

and35?

The third loveof the church is for peoplewhodonot yet know Jesus

ChristastheirpersonalLordandSavior. Wearetolovethemwiththe

samelovethatGodhasforthemandforus. HowmuchdoesGodlove

peopleaccordingto:John3:16?

1John4:9

HowdidJesusdescribeHisministryinLuke4:18and19?

In lightoftheabove,howis1John2:6amo:va:onforusto lovethe

lost?

HowdeservingwereweofHisloveaccordingtoRomans5:8b?

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Accordingto1John4:19whyareweabletoloveothers?

Soweseethat,thoughwearefreeinChrist,wedonotpossessunlimitedfreedom.ThereareboundariesbuttheyarepresentthatwemayfulfillthecommandtoloveGodandloveourneighbor.

I. ALesson FromtheEarlyChurch

InActs15wecomeacrossathreattothe very survival of the early church.

It took place about 15 years ajer the beginning of thechurch in Jerusalem. PaulandBarnabashadbeencalledbyGod tobemissionaries to theGen:les. On theirfirstmissionary journey, they had started four churches in the region ofGala:a,atAn:ochofPisidia, Iconium,LystraandDerbe. Wordof thisreachedthechurchinJerusalem.

Some Jewish believers sent by James (the brother of Jesus) from theJerusalemchurchhadcometothechurchofAn:ochinSyriatotelltheGen:lebelievers that theymustbe circumcisedand follow the Law inorder to be saved. Others had gone with the samemessage to thechurches started by Paul and Barnabas in Gala:a. The ideawas thattheseGen:les couldnotbecomebelieversun:l theyhadfirstbecomeJews.ThiswascontrarytoPaul'steachingofjus:fica:onbyfaithalone.

Thecomingof these Jews fromJerusalemtoAn:ochalsoaffected thebehavior of Peter, Barnabas and the other Jewish believers in An:ochandupsettheunityofthechurch. PaulhadtoconfrontPeterpublicly(Gala:ans 2:11-13) to avert a problem. Paul and Barnabas debatedthese Jewsandwerefinallyasked tocome to Jerusalemto talk to theapostlesthereaboutthesitua:on.

WhatdidPaulandBarnabasdowhentheygottoJerusalem—verse4?

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DAY2

Whatwasthefocusoftheirreport?

Whydoyouthinkthiswouldbesignificant?

Inverse5,whatwastheresponseofthosewhobelongedtothepartyof

thePharisees?

Therewasquitea lotofdiscussionand inverses7-11Peteraddressed

the assembly. What is Peter's response in verse 10 to making the

Gen:lesobeythelawofMoses?

Whatishisreasoning?

Inverse11whatdoesPetersayisthekeytosalva:on?

WhatdoesPeterbasethisuponinverses7-9?

TowhatdidPaulandBarnabasappealinverse12?

Inverses13to18,towhatdidJamesmakehisappeal(especiallyverses

17and18)?

IfyouhaveastudyBible,wheredoesyourmarginnotesayJamesgothis

ideas?

Inverses19-21,Jamesmakesajudgment,whichisputintheformofa

le`er (verses 23-29), and sent with Paul and Barnabas and two� |P a g e 44

representa:ves from the Jerusalem church to the church in An:och.

TheseweretherequirementsthatweretobeplacedupontheGen:le

believers.Whatdoyou think Jamesmeansby "we shouldnotmake it

difficultfortheGen:leswhoareturningtoGod."inverse19?

Whydoyouthinkhesaysthis?

Whatimplica:onscanwedrawfromthisaswethinkofsharingourfaith

inChristwithothers?

Inverse20,whatrestric:onswereplaceduponheGen:lebelievers?

Whydoyouthinkthesespecificrestric:onswerechosen?

Did these restric:ons lead to salva:on?________ According to verse

20,whatwasthepurposeofplacingtheserestric:onsontheGen:les?

What "addi:ons" to the Gospel might a new believer sense in our

church?

inyourhomegroup?

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fromyou?

Whatshouldthechurch,yourSmallGrouporyoudoaboutthat?

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II. WhatAbout"Gray"Areas?There are numerous things in Scripture which areforbidden: murder, sexual immorality, stealing,lying, gossiping, etc. to name a few. There areotherthingswearecommandedtodo:love,serve,

bearoneanother'sburdens,give,obeyGod'scommands,etc. Butwewanttolookatthe"gray"areas.

Howwouldyoudefinea"gray"area?

Whatwouldbesomeexamplesof"gray"areastoday?

Whatare1or2"gray"areasyoupersonallystrugglewith?

"Gray" areas are those areas where there is no specific teaching ofScripture.So,howarewetoknowwhattodointhosesitua:onswhereScripture issilent? What is thekeytobehavior in theseareas? Onceagain we can look back to our core values of loving God and lovingothers, believers as well as unbelievers. In areas where Scripture issilent,whatisthelovingthingtodo?

1Corinthians8willgiveussomeguidelinesinhowtohandlethe"gray"areaswithlovebeingourguide. Paulisdealingwithachurchmadeupmostly of Gen:les who came out of an idolatrous lifestyle. Peoplewould make sacrifices at a pagan temple where there were templepros:tutesandorgiesaspartoftheirworship.WhentheycametofaithinChrist,theyfoundtheystruggledevengoingtothetemplemuchlessbeinginvolvedwithanythingthathadtodowithit.

Whensacrificesweremadeatthepagantemples,thesacrificialanimalwascut intothirds. Onethirdof itwasburntasaburntoffering,onethirdwasgiventothepriestforhisshareandonethirdwasgivenback

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DAY3

tothepersontotakehometoeat. Becauseofthevolumeofsacrificesmadeeachday,thepriestshadmoremeatthantheycouldeatsotheysold ittootherswhosold it inthemarketplace. Apersonbuyingthismeatwouldbeea:ngmeatofferedtoanidol. Also,ifyouwereinvitedovertothehomeofanunbelieverforameal,therewasagoodchanceyouwouldbeea:ngtheonethirdofthesacrificialanimalgivenbacktothem at the sacrifice. This made it difficult for many of the newbelieversinCorinth.

With these thoughts inmind, let's seewhatwe can learn from Paul'sdealings with the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 8. He is answeringques:ons that had come to him in a le`er concerning prac:ces forbelievers.

Inverse1whatdoyouthinkPaulmeansashecontrastsknowledgewith

love?

Whywoulditbeimportantforustohaveabalanceinthesetwoareas?

Verses4-6describethepersonwhowouldseehimselfasmature.What

doeshe"know"thatthe"weaker"brotherdoesnot?

Verse7describesthepersonwhowouldbecalledthe"weaker"brother.

Whatdoeshebelieve?

WhattruthisPaultryingtocommunicateinverses9-13?

Howdoesthisrelatetolove?

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Whatkeyprincipleof loveconcerning"gray"areasdowefind inverse

13?

Whatpersonalapplica:ondoesthathaveforyou?

A.Application

Wemustaskourselveshowourac:onswillaffectothers. Will they offend a weak Chris:an or anunbeliever? Alsohowmightourac:onsaffectusifwegettooclosetotheedge? theques:onwe

need tobeaskingourselves isn't, "Is this ac:vity rightorwrong?"but"Whowillbeaffectedinanega:vewayifIpar:cipateinthisac:vity?"

Whatisa"freedom/s"youfeelyouhavethatmaybeastumblingblock

toanother?

Does Scripture specifically say anything about this or would it be

considereda"gray"area?

Whatshouldbeyourresponseofloveinthisarea?

Are there areas in your life that you previously thought were OK but

nowfeelshouldbechanged?_________Ifso,whatarethey?

Whatchangesdoyoufeelyouneedtomake?

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DAY4

In the :mes or situa:ons where you might have been the "weaker"

brother,howdidyoufeeltowardthosewhowere"stronger?"

Wereyouaffectednega:velybythis?

Inwhatway?

AsyoureadeachpassageofScripturebelow,whatques:oncouldyou

asktodetermineifasitua:on,fallingina"gray"area,isappropriatefor

youornot?

1Corinthians6:12a

Hebrews12:1a

1John2:6

Colossians4:5a

1Corinthians10:23

1Corinthians10:31

Romans14:13b

III.MotivationsforLimitingOurFreedoms

In1Corinthians9Paulgets intothereasonswhyhe

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DAY5

choosestolimitsomeofhisfreedoms.

Inverse19,whydoesPaulmakehimselfaslavetoothers?

HowhasPaulusedhisfreedominChristinverses19-23?

HowdoesthisrelatetowhathetoldtheCorinthiansin8:13?

WhatcausedPaultochooseto limithis freedoms inverses19,22and

23?

WhatdoyouthinkPaulmeans inverse22to"becomeall things toall

men?"

What adjustments would you have to make in your life to apply the

principles found in verses 19-23 to people in your sphereof influence

whoneedtoknowChrist?

Whoarethesepeople?

Whatisthereinyourlifethatcouldhinderyoufrombeinganeffec:ve

witnesstothem?

Woulditbeworthlimi:ngsomeofyourfreedomstoseethemcometo

Christ?

When itcomestomaking judgmentcalls inthe"gray"areas,whathas

provedhelpfultoyou? � |P a g e 51

Whatdoverses24-27havetodowithourtopic?

WhatdoyouthinkPaulmeansbybeing"disqualified"inverse27?

An athlete is free to eat whatever he wants, go to bed whenever hewants, to trainor not train, to smoke, drink, or dodrugsor to refrainfromthemjustlikeanyoneelse.Buthechoosestolimithimselfinthoseareasbecausehewants tobea topathlete, thebest inhisfield. If apersoncantodothisforaribbon,atrophyormoney,can'twelearntolimitourselvesforthecauseofChristandtheeternalsoulsofmenandwomenforwhomChristdied?

Read 2 Timothy 2:2, and in prayer askGod to show you towhomHewould have you pass on what you have learned in the last severalweeks.

Reviewthisen:redevo:onalandwritedownakeypersonalapplica:onfrom each sec:on. It may be an applica:on that you previouslyiden:fied, but lis:ng all your top level applica:ons herewill help youquicklyreviewwhattheLordhaslaidonyourheartsothatyoucanbea"doer"ofthewordandnota"hearer"only.

1)Faithfulness

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2)Availability

3)Teachability

4)Tithing

5)Worship

6)Witness

7)Limi:ngFreedoms

� PastorStanLubeck

Stanlubeck.com

2016-02-18

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